Firefox > Error: no display specified

You need to run the a display manager so you can have a graphical interface. By default, the server does not have a graphical interface and is for advanced users. If you are new to linux, I would not recommend using a server install.

You probably want to install the "ubuntu-desktop" virtual package -- this will install a display manager and a desktop environment.

sudo aptitude install ubuntu-desktop

Secondly, why would you run firefox on a server? What are you trying to do?

I am taking a class in UNIX/LINUX this Spring. I am testing different distributions, but have pretty much settled on Ubuntu as my LINUX distrobution.

Now, I am learning the ropes.

Part of what I want is the GUI desktop which I successfully found as gnome-desktop-environment or such.

I am, also, taking a OOP/C++ class. So, I am looking to try different IDE/Compiler systems.

The server edition is probably what will be required for the UNIX/LINUX class, but who knows?

However, I want the bells-n-whistles of the desktop, also.

Mozilla Firefox/Thunderbird will be my primary email/browser combo. Plus I will be installing JAVA JDK/Netbeans, Eclipse, and others. So much to learn and test in the next 4-weeks before classes start.

AND I do like to PLAY!!!

OK.You can (in future) your life a bit easier by just installing the desktop version, then install the server-y/programming bits you need after the install. The primary difference between the two versions s they way that updates are handled and the default install options.

Almost all the software is drawn from the same pool for both -- its how you configure it that is important.

For compilers, you will use g++ for C++. Thats about it. G++ is pretty much universal under unix -- there are other compilers, but most are still experimental (eg llvm), or proprietary (icc). If you get your code right, it should compile under any of these.

the java "jdk" is simply provided by openJDK ( openjdk-6-jdk), and the compiler is "javac".

LOL....

I've re-installed Ubuntu Server x3 so far today - playing.

Getting used to Aptitude commands for installing packages.

Kind of wish the gnome-desktop-platform had a basic package and didn't need to wade through the separate components all the time.

Seems like a lot of reinventing-the-wheel is involved in LINUX. Such a waste of time, IMHO...

Like the root-system is NOT installed or is disabled under Ubuntu. Have to use su/sudo instead. Kind of interferes with the learning process, IMHO. So, I ave to track down and manually install root-system-bin to get it back on board.

I am a firm believer in the KISS principle. LINUX sure hasn't embraced that paradigm yet...

IMHO,

MJR